Over the last 70 years.researchers have been studying happy and Unhappy people and finally found out ten factors that make a difference.Our feelings of well-being at any moment are determined to a certain degree by genes.However of all the factors,wealth and age are the top two.
Money can buy a degree of happiness.But once you can afford to feed,clothe and house yourself, each extra dollar makes less and less difference.
Researchers find that,on average,wealthier people are happier.But the link between money and happiness is complex.In the past half-century, average income has sharply increased in developed countries,yet happiness levels have remained almost the same.Once your basic needs are met,money only seems to increase happiness if you have more than your friends,neighbors and colleagues.
“Dollars buy Status(社会地位),and status makes people feel better,” conclude some experts,which helps explain why people who can seek status in other ways-scientists or actors,for example-may happily accept relatively poorly-paid jobs.
In a research,Professor Alex Michalos found that the people whose desires-not just for money,but for friends,family, job,health-rose furthest beyond what they already had,tended to be less happy than those who felt a smaller gap(差距).Indeed,the size of the gap predicted happiness about five times better than income alone.“The gap measures just blow away the only measures of income,”says Michalos.
Another factor that has to do with happiness is age.Old age may not be so bad.“Given all the problems of aging,how could the elderly be more satisfied?” asks Professor Laura Carstensen.
Why are old people happier? Some scientists suggest older people may expect life to be harder and learn to live with it,or they're more realistic about their goals,only setting ones that they know they can achieve.But Carstensen thinks that with time running out,older people have learned to focus on things that make them happy and let go of those that don't.
“People realize not only what they have,but also that what they have cannot-last forever,” she says.“A goodbye kiss to a husband or wife at the age of 85,for example,may bring far more complex emotional responses than a similar kiss to a boy or girl friend at the age of 20.”
【小题1】According to the passage,the feeling of happiness _________.   

A.has little to do with wealthB.increases gradually with age
C.is measured by desiresD.is determined partly by genes
【小题2】Some actors would like to accept poorly-paid jobs because the jobs _________.
A.make them feel much betterB.provide chances to make friends
C.improve their social positionD.satisfy their professional interests
【小题3】Aged people are more likely to feel happy because they are more _________.   
A.optimisticB.practicalC.successfulD.emotional
【小题4】Professor Alex Michalos found that people feel less happy if __________.
A.the gap between reality and desire is bigger
B.they have a stronger desire for friendship
C.their income is below their expectation
D.the hope for good health is greater

Almost every child is scared of something, from monsters in the cupboard to dogs in the park. But the fact that such fears are common and normal doesn’t mean they can be taken lightly. Kids experience fears and phobias(恐惧症) much more strongly than adults. And the influence of the fear can be physical as well as psychological (心理的). It can build up so they almost seem scared of everything--a kind of childhood anxiety. Dr. Creswell says: “Your child may always seem to expect the worst to happen and lack confidence in his or her ability to deal with any challenge.” So don’t make the same old mistake of treating them as if they’re silly for being a“scaredy cat”. Handling the fears is essential.
Children can be born nervous and, if you have such a baby, you’ll tend to prevent them from getting worried. So if they fear dogs, you’ll keep them away from dogs, but in fact that can just confirm to the child that dogs are scary. What is worse, keeping your child away from what they fear can turn that feeling into a phobia. Instead, you should encourage them to get in touch with the thing they fear, in a safe and supportive environment. Dr. Andy Field, a researcher of childhood fears, says: “You shouldn’t force, for example, a dog anxious child to go up to a dog. But you can approach it yourself, show them there is nothing to be afraid of, stroke( 抚摸) it, and talk about the dog being friendly. Once your child dares to stroke a dog-one that’s good with children, of course---then you should encourage them to carry on until they feel calmer, and reward them for‘being brave’.”
【小题1】Children’s fears are usually taken lightly because    .

A.they will not develop into phobias
B.their influence is psychological
C.they exist widely in the world
D.they will disappear gradually
【小题2】If we fail to help children to overcome fears, they will   .
A.make the same old mistake
B.overcome them by themselves
C.experience the worst of things
D.grow up lacking self-confidence
【小题3】According to Dr. Andy Field, if a child is afraid of a cat, parents should    .
A.tell the child not to be afraid of it
B.show the child how to approach it
C.keep the child away from it
D.ask the child to stroke it

Teens ---want to gain valuable work experience? Do you enjoy working with kids? Need to finish community service requirement for school?
Volunteer for the alameda recreation and park department!
Volunteers are needed to help Recreation Leaders with youth programs and special events at our local park. During the summer, volunteers are also needed to help with our Aquatics Program at the swim center as well. This is a perfect opportunity to gain valuable work experience for future employment opportunities.
Don’t delay(延迟)! Spaces Are Extremely Limited! Sign up early!
l You may register in person or mail the completed form and payment to: Alameda Recreation and Park Department, 2226 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda, 94501.
l Faxed registrations accepted with MasterCard/ VISA,(510)747—7566.
Once your application has been reviewed(审查), you will be contacted by the Teen Coordination to plan an oral interview. If you are accepted into the program, you must attend a volunteer training.
All applications are to arrive no later than two weeks before the training date (listed below) and are limited to space availability.
Not all applications will be surely given an interview. Late Applications will not be dealt with.

Volunteer training information
Training Date: Thursday, May28,2009
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Veteran’s Memorial Building(2203 Central Avenue, Room 120,Alameda)
Cost: $45 per person----includes training, uniform and materials.
【小题1】We can know from the passage that the program can        .
A.teach kids to swim at the swim center
B.train teens to be prepared for job interviews
C.offer people who are out of work some jobs
D.provide a chance for volunteers to get work experience
【小题2】Once you are allowed to join in the program, you           .
A.will be trained for volunteering
B.will have a face to face interview
C.must contact the Teen Coordinator
D.will pay $45 for the materials
【小题3】To join the program, you should register________.
A.on Thursday, May28, 2009
B.before Thursday, May 14, 2009
C.after Thursday, May 28, 2009
D.before Thursday, June 11, 2009
【小题4】What information can we get from the passage?
A.You will be interviewed once you apply.
B.You can register by sending an email.
C.There is a limit to the number of volunteers.
D.The training will last about two weeks.

Over the last 70 years, researchers have been studying happy and unhappy people and finally found out ten factors that make a difference. Our feelings of well-being at any moment are determined to a certain degree by genes. However, of all the factors, wealth and age are the top two.

Money can buy a degree of happiness. But once you can afford to feed, clothe and house yourself, each extra dollar makes less and less difference.

Researchers find that, on average, wealthier people are happier. But the link between money and happiness is complex. In the past half-century, average income has sharply increased in developed countries, yet happiness levels have remained almost the same. Once your basic needs are met, money only seems to increase happiness if you have more than your friends, neighbors and colleagues.

“Dollars buy status, and status makes people feel better,” conclude some experts, which helps explain why people who can seek status in other ways-scientists or actors, for example-may happily accept relatively poorly-paid jobs.

In a research, Professor Alex Michalos found that the people whose desire-not just for money, but for friends, family, job, health-rose furthest beyond what they already had, tended to be less happy than those who felt a smaller gap(差距). Indeed, the size of the gap predicted happiness about five times better than income alone. “The gap measures just blow away the only measures of income.” Says Michalos.

Another factor that has to do with happiness is age. Old age may not be so bad. “Given all the problems of aging, how could the elderly be more satisfied?” asks Professor Laura Carstensen.

In one survey, Carstensen interviewed 184 people between the ages of 18 and 94, and asked them to fill out an emotions questionnaire. She found that old people reported positive emotions just as often as young people, but negative emotions much less often.

Why are old people happier? Some scientists suggest older people may expect life to be harder and learn to live with it, or they’re more realistic about their goals, only setting ones that they know they can achieve. But Carstensen thinks that with times running out, older people have learned to focus on things that make them happy and let go of those that don’t.

“People realize not only what they have, but also that what they have cannot last forever,” she says. “A goodbye kiss to a husband or wife at the age of 85, for example, may bring far more complex emotional responses than a similar kiss to a boy or girl friend at the age of 20.”

1.According to the passage, the feeling of happiness __________.

A.is determined partly by genes

B.increases gradually with age

C.has little to do with wealth

D.is measured by desires

2.Some actors would like to accept poorly-paid jobs because the jobs ____________.

A.make them feel much better

B.provide chances to make friends

C.improve their social position

D.satisfy their professional interests

3.Aged people are more likely to feel happy because they are more _________.

A.optimistic

B.successful

C.practical

D.emotional

4.Professor Alex Michalos found that people feel less happy if __________.

A.the gap between reality and desire is bigger

B.they have a stronger desire for friendship

C.their income is below their expectation

D.the hope for good health is greater

 

 

Over the last 70 years,researchers have been studying happy and unhappy people and finally found out ten factors that make a difference.Our feelings of well-being at any moment are determined to a certain degree by genes.However,of all the factors,wealth and age are the top two.

Money can buy a degree of happiness.But once you can afford to feed,clothe and house yourself,each extra dollar makes less and less difference.

Researchers find that,on average,wealthier people are happier.But the link between money and happiness is complex.In the past half-century,average income has sharply increased in developed countries,yet happiness levels have remained almost the same.Once your basic needs are met,money only seems to increase happiness if you have more than your friends,neighbors and colleagues.

“Dollars buy status,and status makes people feel better,”conclude some experts,which helps explain why people who can seek status in other ways—scientists or actors,for example—may happily accept relatively poorly-paid jobs.

In a research,Professor Alex Michalos found that the people whose desires—not just for money,but for friends,family,job,health—rose furthest beyond what they already had,tended to be less happy than those who felt a smaller gap(差距).Indeed,the size of the gap predicted happiness about five times better than income alone.“The gap measures just blow away the only measures of income,”says Michalos.

Another factor that has to do with happiness is age.Old age may not be so bad.“Given all the problems of aging,how could the elderly be more satisfied?”asks Professor Laura Carstensen.

In one survey,Carstensen interviewed 184 people between the ages of 18 and 94,and asked them to fill out an emotions questionaire.She found that old people reported positive emotions just as often as young people,but negative emotions much less often.

Why are old people happier?Some scientists suggest older people may expect life to be harder and learn to live with it,or they’re more realistic about their goals,only setting ones that they know they can achieve.But Carstensen thinks that with time running out,older people have learned to focus on things that make them happy and let go of those that don’t.

“People realize not only what they have,but also that what they have cannot last forever,”she says.“A goodbye kiss to a husband or wife at the age of 85,for example,may bring far more complex emotional responses than a similar kiss to a boy or girl friend at the age of 20.”

1.According to the passage,the feeling of happiness ______.

A.is determined partly by genes

B.increases gradually with age

C.has little to do with wealth

D.is measured by desires

2.Some actors would like to accept poorly-paid jobs because the jobs ______.

A.make them feel much better

B.provide chances to make friends

C.improve their social position

D.satisfy their professional interests

3.Aged people are more likely to feel happy because they are more ______.

A.optimistic

B.successful

C.practical

D.emotional

4.Professor Alex Michalos found that people feel less happy if ______.

A.the gap between reality and desire is bigger

B.they have a stronger desire for friendship

C.their income is below their expectation

D.the hope for good health is greater

 

违法和不良信息举报电话:027-86699610 举报邮箱:58377363@163.com

精英家教网